Decorative foam tape for use as fashion accessories

ABSTRACT

The invention is decorative foam tape for use as fashion accessories. The foam tape is provided on rolls much like ribbon or adhesive tape, and in multiple widths and a broad range of colors. Multiple coordinated colors of foam tape made be easily braided, wrapped, or tied together to form necklaces, bracelets, ponytail holders, braided bracelets, finger rings, toe rings, head bands, accessory holders, and many other accessories. The colors selected by the user may duplicate school colors, the colors of a favorite professional sports team, trade dress of a corporation, the red and green of Christmas, the black and orange of Halloween, a camouflage scheme, or any other color scheme the user may choose. Various items may be incorporated into the user&#39;s accessory design, such as beads spelling out the user&#39;s name or the name of the user&#39;s school, or charms similar to those on a charm bracelet

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates back to, and claims the priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 62/524,448 filed on Jun. 23, 2017.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to fashion accessories and materials, and in particular to decorative foam tape for use as fashion accessories. The use of a slightly elastic, disposable foam tape as a foundation for athletic tape has been in widespread use in locker rooms and training rooms for at least 30 years. The foam tape is ideal for such purposes because it is breathable and does not adhere to the user's skin or body hair. This feature makes the tape useful for other purposes, such as the creation of fashion accessories.

A search of the prior art reveals various devices which have been developed to provide the features of a fashion accessory, which is inexpensive and capable of being removed and discarded quickly and easily. None are closely related to the present invention, but several include features which resemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactory for the present purpose in its own way.

Decorative embellishment for clothing, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,088 (priority Jul. 26, 2000), provides a garment embellishment, having no neck or collar attachment means, allowing the wearer of casual clothing to quickly attach the embellishment and thereby formalize his clothing. The embellishment may take the place of a more formal necktie, bolo tie, or scarf and may be easily transported in a pocket, purse or briefcase so that it is immediately available to help dress-up casual clothing. Further, the embellishment may be used as a novelty at parties, political rallies and other places where the display of a message may be desired. The embellishment may be removably attached to clothing by use of double-sided adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, pins, snaps, button loops or other buttoning attachments. The embellishment may be worn with a jacket or blazer or alone on a shirt or blouse to provide more decoration to clothing.

Loop strap hair tie, U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,884 (priority Jan. 8, 1992), provides a hair tie to fasten locks of hair into pony tails, braids or dred locks. The hair tie comprises a generally planar, elongated material containing corresponding fastening surfaces at each end. The hair tie encircles the lock of hair in a belt-like fashion and fastens upon itself. The hair tie is capable of tying different amounts of hair by varying the positions the ends of the hair tie engage. Additionally, the hair tie incorporates an elastic loop and a friction pad to ensure the hair tie securely attaches and remains in position on the lock of hair. Ornamentation, such as jewelry, beads and ribbon, printing and logos may decorate the hair tie, allowing individuals to decorate their hair as well as fasten it.

Tape-like connecting device and women's clothing with cups, U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,354 (priority Apr. 27, 1998), provides a tape-like connecting device adapted to firmly connect a plurality of parts of a textile product in a detachable manner, and a women's clothing product with cups using the same are provided. Both left and right cup portions are connected to each other by the tape-like connecting device. The tape-like connecting device has tape members and a connector, while the base portions of the connector are formed with depressions. The front end portions of the tape members are sewn to the center front cloths and the front end portions of the under tape by way of the depression to each other. Further, the base end portions of the tape members are sewn to cup wire portions, whereby the tape-like connecting device fulfills a main role of connecting both cup portions to each other.

Sports tie, U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,550 (priority Jun. 18, 1990), provides a sports tie which is comprised of a plurality of rigid segments flexibly joined together in the form of a necktie. The exposed surfaces of the segments are finished to simulate a basketball court. The logo or other insignia of a sports team is bonded to the exposed surfaces of the segments. A band or clip attached to an end segment allows a person to wear the sports tie around his neck. In a modified embodiment, the segments have the outline of a baseball bat. In a further embodiment, the segments are covered with artificial football field material. In another embodiment, the segments are made of clear plastic to simulate a hockey rink. Disks decorated to represent various sports balls or pucks can be bonded to a segment.

Young women and girls are constantly searching for new and different fashion accessories, and the application of foam tape in coordinated color schemes to this endeavor would be well received. Decorative foam tape for use as fashion accessories, which is provided in multiple widths and a broad range of colors, and may be braided or wrapped to form necklaces, bracelets, and many other accessories, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is decorative foam tape for use as fashion accessories. The foam tape is provided on rolls much like ribbon or adhesive tape, and in multiple widths and a broad range of colors. Multiple coordinated colors of foam tape made be easily braided, wrapped, or tied together to form necklaces, bracelets, ponytail holders, and many other accessories. The colors selected by the user may duplicate school colors, the colors of a favorite professional sports team, trade dress of a corporation, the red and green of Christmas, the black and orange of Halloween, a camouflage scheme, or any other color scheme the user may choose. Various items may be incorporated into the user's accessory design, such as beads spelling out the user's name or the name of the user's school, or charms similar to those on a charm bracelet.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate two embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the tape rolls 10, the necklace 11, the bracelet 12, the ponytail holder 13, the lettered beads 14, the cylindrical beads 15, the braided bracelets 16, the charm bracelet 17, and the charms 18.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tape rolls of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the 2-inch tape roll 10A, the 2.5-inch tape roll 10B, and the 3-inch tape roll 10C.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the tape rolls of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the 2-inch tape roll 10A, the 2.5-inch tape roll 10B, and the 3-inch tape roll 10C.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the braided bracelet of the first exemplary embodiment with cylindrical beads affixed, displaying the cylindrical beads 15, and the braided bracelet 16.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the braided bracelet of the first exemplary embodiment with cylindrical beads affixed, displaying the cylindrical beads 15, and the braided bracelet 16.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the braided bracelet of the first exemplary embodiment with lettered beads affixed, displaying the lettered beads 14, and the braided bracelet 16.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the braided bracelet of the first exemplary embodiment with lettered beads affixed, displaying the lettered beads 14, and the braided bracelet 16.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the charm bracelet of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the charm bracelet 17, and the charms 18.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the charm bracelet of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the charm bracelet 17, and the charms 18.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the braided bracelet components of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the braided bracelets 16.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the braided bracelet, necklace, bracelet, and ponytail components of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the necklace 11, the bracelet 12, the ponytail holder 13, and the braided bracelets 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is decorative foam tape for use as fashion accessories.

The foam tape is provided on tape rolls 10 much like ribbon or adhesive tape, and in multiple widths and a broad range of colors. Preferably, the tape rolls 10 are provided in 0.5-inch, 1-inch, and 1.5-inch widths, as well as 2-inch tape rolls 10A, 2.5-inch tape rolls 10B, and 3-inch tape rolls 10C. The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of 2-inch tape rolls 10A, 2.5-inch tape rolls 10B, and 3-inch tape rolls 10C. Multiple coordinated colors of foam tape made be easily braided, wrapped, or tied together to form necklaces 11, bracelets 12, ponytail holders 13, braided bracelets 16, and many other accessories.

The colors selected by the user may duplicate school colors, the colors of a favorite professional sports team, trade dress of a corporation, the red and green of Christmas, the black and orange of Halloween, a camouflage scheme, or any other color scheme the user may choose. Various items may be incorporated into the user's accessory design, such as lettered beads 14 spelling out the user's name or the name of the user's school, or charms 18 such that a braided bracelet 16 may be made into a charm bracelet 17. The cylindrical beads 15, the braided bracelets 16, and the charms 18 may be made available separately, or purchased from a craft shop.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may cut the foam tape to appropriate lengths and twist two strips of foam tape together to make a necklace 11, a bracelet 12, or a ponytail holder 13. Alternately, the user may braid two or more strips of foam tape together to make a braided bracelet 16.

The foam tape is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material which is spongy and slightly elastic, such as aerated silicon or polyurethane foam. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. Decorative foam tape for use as fashion accessories, provided on tape rolls much like ribbon or adhesive tape, and in multiple widths and a broad range of colors.
 2. The tape of claim 1, wherein preferably, the tape rolls are provided in 0.5-inch, 1-inch, and 1.5-inch widths, as well as 2-inch tape rolls, 2.5-inch tape rolls, and 3-inch tape rolls.
 3. The tape of claim 1, wherein multiple coordinated colors of foam tape made be easily braided, wrapped, or tied together to form necklaces, bracelets, ponytail holders, braided bracelets, finger rings, toe rings, head bands, accessory holders, and many other accessories.
 4. The tape of claim 1, wherein the colors selected by the user may duplicate school colors, the colors of a favorite professional sports team, trade dress of a corporation, red and green of Christmas, black and orange of Halloween, a camouflage scheme, or any other color scheme the user may choose.
 5. The tape of claim 1, wherein various items may be incorporated into the user's accessory design, such as lettered beads spelling out the user's name or the name of the user's school, or charms such that a braided bracelet may be made into a charm bracelet.
 6. The tape of claim 1, wherein cylindrical beads, braided bracelets, and the charms may be made available separately for use with the tape, or purchased from a craft shop.
 7. The tape of claim 1, wherein the user may cut the foam tape to appropriate lengths and twist two strips of foam tape together to make a necklace, a bracelet, a ponytail holder, a braided bracelet, a finger ring, a toe ring, a head band, or an accessory holder.
 8. The tape of claim 1, wherein alternately, the user may braid two or more strips of foam tape together to make a braided bracelet.
 9. The tape of claim 1, wherein the foam tape is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material which is spongy and slightly elastic, such as aerated silicon or polyurethane foam. 